over the years proves your thirst for knowledge.

Learning definitely happens out in the field too. After much anticipation the planned hazard reduction burn at The Knoll, Northbridge was carried out by WCCs Bushfire Management Team on 5th May (see photo above). The Clive/Knoll Bushcarers will be assisting this team with the post-fire weeding required. It will be most interesting, and informative, for the Bushcarers to see the varied species which emerge after this fire.

And finally, on another matter related to learning more about the bush... some of our Bushcare trainers have recently given birth. Claire Collins gave birth to a baby girl, Lilly, on Wed 9th May. And Trinh Pham and Andy Lawson welcomed little Elliot into the world on Fri 11th May. Hooray!! (see photo below).

by Mandy Wilson, Bushcare Co-ordinator

Willoughby City Council’s BUSHCARE, WILDLIFE & COMMUNITY

GARDEN NEWSLETTER Waterless printed on 100% recycled paper

May 2012 WINTER EDITION

www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/BushCareNews.html

BUSHCARE NEWS

Dear Bushcarers, Wildlife Watchers, Community Gardeners and Greenstylers

It would be easy to get the wrong idea about Bushcare and associated activities that involve caring for the environment-that it’s all about convivial chats over nice food (see images below). There’s no doubt this is definitely one of the bonuses of being involved…..

However, it’s important to acknowledge, especially in Volunteer Week, the generosity and hard work of so many of you. For example, in the last financial year Bushcarers donated 5,549.2 hours (roughly equivalent to $138,731.25) to Bushcare. You also help us ‘spread the good word’ about Bushcare and organic gardening to your friends, family and neighbourhood networks, and you assist at stalls at local community events, in addition to the Bushcare stall at the Easter Show. The good attendances at environmental workshops

Rob Foster in foreground with other Bushcare Major Day Out participants enjoying a home-baked morning tea lovingly prepared by fellow Bushcarers, Tunks Park, 11.9.11

Willoughby Bushcarers in the former shearers quarters at‘Spring Ponds’, (near Goulburn) celebrating the end of a day spent planting with the Windellama Landcarers, 15.10.11

Autumn bought some welcome sunshine after a wet summer, and following a few colder days the Community Gardeners of Willoughby are busily planning their winter crops.

• Congratulations to The Willoughby Organic Gardeners of Warners Park, Northbridge, who attained second prize for their creative and bountiful harvest display in the Community Gardens category at the Royal Easter Show. (See photo above)

• After much activity behind the scenes the Bongalong Street Community Garden recently had their first working bee tidying up some plants and planting some strawberries. They are planning the construction of some raised vegetable gardens with great excitement.

• The Hub Community Garden at 34 Devonshire Street, Chatswood has continued to grow in numbers and produce. The gardeners are enjoying the gardening while making new friends from their local area.

Don't forget to contact Rhonda, your Community Gardens Officer on 9777 7794 if you have any community garden questions or ideas as I will be more than happy to discuss them with you.

by Rhonda French, Community Gardens Officer

Better Business Awards

by Casey Walton, Public Relations and Communications Officer

The inaugural Better Business Awards will be held on World Environment Day, Tuesday 5 June at The Civic Pavilion on The Concourse. The event will be hosted by Wendy Harmer with special guest speaker, Jon Dee and will showcase and recognise the achievements of more than 300 local businesses that are a part of the Better Business Partnership. Award categories include Accessibility, Sustainable Purchasing, Energy, Water, Waste, Staff Support, Community Support, Sustainable Transport and the Better Business of the Year Award.

Vote for Your Favourite Better Business and Win!

North Shore residents who vote for their favourite local sustainable business will go into the draw to win a luxury weekend for two at an eco retreat valued at $1,515.

Voting has now opened for the publicly voted People’s Choice Award categories: § Better Business People’s Choice Award –

Retail § Better Business People’s Choice Award –

Hospitality, Cafes and Restaurants § Better Business People’s Choice Award –

Professional Services and Other

Locals can vote for their favourite businesses across the three categories by filling out a voting form in store at participating businesses, or by voting online at www.betterbusinesspartnership.com.au/vote

Some business operators from Artarmon Shopping Centre

You can contact Simon Brown Willoughby’s Wildlife Officer on 9777 7872, or via email at simon.brown@willoughby.nsw.gov.au & Liz Powell Habitat Restoration

Officer on 9777 7871, or at liz.powell@willoughby.nsw.gov.au

tiny flowers. Australia’s Apiaceae family includes the Flannel Flower and Platysace as well as ground covers like Centella asiatica and Hydrocotyle peduncularis.

So consider having a native garden near your vegetable patch to help manage your pest species.

Jerry has identified hundreds of different species of insects and other animals in his garden over the years by stopping and taking the time to look. So give yourself an excuse to put ‘the tools’ down for a bit and explore the minute detail in your backyard, Bushcare site or local park. If you want to look up your insects taking a photo is best. If you would like to find out about good web pages for identification you can contact Simon Brown or Liz Powell (see contact details above) and come to the Fauna Fair on Sunday 26th August, 10am-3pm.

Beneficial Predatory Bugs of Willoughby

♦ Blue Planarian Worm for millipede, slaters and other terrestrial invertebrates ♦ Giant Robber Fly-a wide range of flying insects and their larvae. ♦ Green Lacewing (larvae)-aphids. ♦ Blue-spotted Hawker Dragonfly-small flying insects eg mosquitoes and winged termites. ♦ Garden Mantid-small caterpillars and other small insects such as aphids. ♦ Snail Parasitic Blowfly (larvae)-Snails ♦ Termite Assassin Bug-termites ♦ Hoverflies (larvae)-small insects including aphids and other larvae. ♦ Soldier Fly- other fly larvae and small insects.

by Liz Powell Habitat Officer

Latest Willoughby Wildlife Sightings

♦ Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos, Beauchamp Park, Chatswood, April

♦ Short Beaked Echidna, Willis Park, Middle Cove, April

♦ Emperor Gum Moth (larvae), Northbridge Golf Course, Northbridge, May

♦ Juvenile Buff-banded Rail, ‘Monkey Rocks’, Northbridge, May

♦ Eastern Yellow Robin, Northern Escarpment, Castlecrag, May

♦ Masked Owl, Explosives Res., C.Cove, March

Bug Day Afternoons The little workers in your garden

Some of you may have been lucky enough to catch the inspiring ABC Gardening Australia program on 5th of May which focused on wildlife in the garden, from the great little bugs that control vegetable garden pests, to how to improve habitat in your garden with nest boxes and specific plantings.

But just in case you didn’t catch it….Jerry Coleby-Williams provided a great insight into some of the bugs that help control pests in the garden like wasps, who lay their eggs in caterpillars, the body of which then become food for the wasp’s young. Similarly many of the fly family have larvae with a parasitic relationship to caterpillars and other pests, eg. juvenille Hover Flies prey on aphids. The adult Assassin Bug feeds off various prey including caterpillars, flies and some even eat termites.

So how do you attract them to your garden? As many adult bugs are nectar and pollen eaters flowering plants are the important plants to attract beneficial bugs to your garden. Jerry recommended daisy plants like Golden Rod and Cosmos. Perhaps you could consider some of the native species such as Ozothamnus, Olearia, Cassinia or Everlasting Daisies? There are many other great flower- producing plant families such as Myrtaceae, Mimosaceae and Fabaceae. The other plant family Jerry mentioned was Apiaceae which includes plants like Dill, Queen Ann’s Lace, Fennel as well as Parsley. He was particularly impressed with the long flowering Broad Leafed Parsley on which he found as many as 20 different species of insects feeding on the

Orange Assassin Bug eating a Sandfly, by Andy Burton

Bamboo Demonstration Day with Kevin Mathers

The Torquay Bushcare group recently hosted a special guest on their site. Long term Bushcarer/ Bushcare Trainer Kevin Mathers was asked to share his experiences dealing with the problematic weed, Bamboo. Here are his thoughts on the matter….

“Several Bushcare groups have rhizomatous Bamboo on their sites. There has been much discussion on how to control this weed and it may help to share information on both our successes and failures. Some success has been achieved in the Highland Ridge and Harold Reid Bushcare group sites, and for what its worth, the following are a few observations from those sites. -The method used on the vertical stems was to ‘cut and paint’, cutting just above the lowest division and creating a well to maximise the volume of poison taken up. Rhizomes were drilled every 2 to 4cm with a 5/16” auger bit into the hollow core. (Poison is then conducted some distance throughout the plant by the green standing stems.) Straight Roundup was used in both applications. -Some interesting observations were: • Movement of dyed Roundup along the rhizome could be seen even through the segment barrier. • After the green standing stems died off, rhizome kills became more difficult and mechanical removal became necessary. • On several occasions, the rhizomes appeared dead on top but green underneath, possibly because drill holes were too shallow and did not wound the underside.

It is worthwhile to note that this method is time-consuming and it’s important to leave no standing stumps which could become trip hazards.”

by Trinh Pham, Bush Regenerator & Kevin Mathers

Stop Press: Now’s a Good Time to Install a

Solar Power System

If you are considering installing a solar power photo-voltaic (PV) system, now is the time to do it because:

• The price of electricity is due to rise in NSW by an average of 16% on 1 July 2012 • The price of PV systems has dropped by over 60% in the last 12 months alone • The Federal Government’s Solar Credits multiplier rebate is scheduled to decrease on 1 July 2012.

The Solar Credits multiplier is planned to decrease by a third, but industry sources suggest there could even be a 2/3rd reduction.

This equates to the current discount for PV systems of approx $2800 reducing to approximately $1860, or possibly (if industry fears are realised) to an even lower figure of approximately $930.

The price of a PV system (including discounts) fully installed by one of our reputable companies with metering is now under $2000 , a great deal for a high quality system. See Council’s Climate Clever website for more info at www.climateclevershop.com.au Solar power systems can provide energy for approximately 25 years so if you’re staying in your house it may be prescient to offset future prices rises with a quality PV system.

Further details are available for solar hot water and heat pump hot water systems and rainwater tanks as well.

If you have any queries, please email or call Peter Lisle, Sustainability Project Officer,

Willoughby City Council on 02 9777 7614 or email peter.lisle@willoughby.nsw.gov.au

Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Panels installed on roof

WCC BUSH, PARK, STREETCARE & COM. GARDEN MEETING DATES For further info, or to receive this newsletter electronically: ph Bushcare Co-ord. Mandy Wilson on 9777 7875 or email: mandy.wilson@willoughby.nsw.gov.au or bushcare@willoughby.nsw.gov.au

FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

Artarmon Reserve 9.00am - 12 noon

Contact: Bob Taffel

9958 6825

FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH

Heights Cres (w/day), Middle Cove Highland Ridge

9.00am - 12 noon afternoons

Contact: Pam Organ Contact: Pam Organ

9958 1512 9958 1512

FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH The Afterburners/ Avian Crescent, varying sites Castle Cove Reserve

8.30am - 11.30am 9.30am - 12.30pm

Contact: Peter Single Contact: Peter Elias

9418 3203 9417 4100

FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Blue Gum 2001, West Chatswood North Arm Reserve, Middle Cove Anglo Parkcare, Chatswood Cortile Reserve, Castlecrag Chatswood High School (De Villiers), Chatswood

8.30am - 11.30am 9.00am - 12 noon 9.00am - 12 noon 8.30am - 11.30am 9.00am - 12 noon

Contact: Hubert Dittrich Contact: Helen Russell-Jones Contact: Mandy Wilson Contact: Sue Burk Contact: Mandy Wilson

9411 1951 9417 6707 9777 7875 0404 470 443 9777 7875

SECOND THURSDAY

Artarmon Sensory Garden 10.00am - 1.00pm

Contact: Brenda Downie

9419 2433

SECOND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH The Drive (Flat Rock Gully), Northbridge

9.00am - 12 noon

Contact: Roger Pittaway

9929 8815

SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH The Market Gardens Willoughby Mooney Street, West Chatswood Ferndale St, Chatswood Harold Reid Reserve, Middle Cove James Street, Chatswood Gargoyle Reserve, Castlecrag

9.00am - 11.00am 8.30am - 12 noon 8.30am - 10.30am 9.00am - 12 noon 9.00am - 12 noon 9.00am -12 noon

Contact: Ian Rannard Contact: Ken Trott Contact: Brian Doyle Contact: Pam Organ Contact: Bernard Sendlhofer Contact: Margaret Hutchinson

9958 1514 9427 5236 9419 4034 9958 1512 9412 1871 9958 4230

SECOND SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Artarmon Reserve Keep Reserve, Castlecrag Retreat Reserve, Castlecrag

9.00am - 12 noon 9.00am - 12 noon 9.00am—12 noon

Contact: Philip Sholl Contact: Matthew Keighery Contacts: Lorraine Cairnes/

9419 6536 0408 203 511 9958 1213

THIRD MONDAY OF THE MONTH

Northbridge Golf Course 9.00am - 12 noon

Contact: Alison Davis

9433 8023

THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH

Artarmon Reserve (weekday) 9.00am - 12 noon

Contact: Bob Taffel

9958 6825

THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH Park Ave Parkcare, Chatswood

9.00am—12 noon

Contact: Jenny Hill

9419 5736

THIRD FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

Castle Cove and Northbridge (3 different sites) 9.00am –2.00pm

Contact: Rob Foster

9958 8337

THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Butt Park, Willoughby East Castle Cove Reserve Rockley St, Castlecrag Torquay Estate, Castlecrag

2.00pm - 5.00pm 9.30am - 1.00pm 9.00am-12noon 1.00— 3.00pm

Contact: Malcolm Sinclair Contact: Peter Elias Contact: Tanya Coates Contact: Jo Nolan

9958 1114 9417 4100 0411 086 105 0419 234 235

THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Oriel Reserve, Castlecrag Bicentennial Res., Naremburn Casement Reserve, Castlecrag Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag Ferndale Reserve, West Chatswood Chatswood High School, (Eddy Ave) Chatswood Coolaroo Reserve, West Chatswood Willoughby Community Garden Ulm Street, West Chatswood Boundary Streetcare, Castle Cove Cheyne Walk/ Beverley Blacklock Res, Castlecrag Scotts Creekcare Lanecare, Northbridge

9.00am - 12 noon 9.00am - 12 noon 8.30am - 11.30am 9.00am -12 noon 9.30am - 12 30pm 9.00am - 12 noon 9.00am -12 noon 9.00am - 12 noon 9.00am - 12.30pm 9.00am - 12 noon 9.00am— 12noon 9.30am –12.30pm 2.00pm—4.00pm

Contact: Mandy Wilson Contact: Beryl Batterham Contact: Sue Burk Contact: Keith Ferguson Contact: Margaret Coleman Contact: Lynne Saville Contact: Mandy Wilson Contact: Mandy Wilson Contact: Heather Goldsmith Contact: Judith Wheeldon Contact: Attracta Lagan Contact: John Balint Contact: Neil Hardie

9777 7875 9437 6842 0404 470 443 0408 518 509 9412 3447 9412 1846 9777 7875 9777 7875 9427 0816 0400 400 873 9967 5122 9498 7527 9958 7261

FOURTH TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

‘The 19th Hole’, Northbridge Golf Course 9.00am - 12noon

Contact: Marianne Wilson

9967 3645

FOURTH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH Upper Cliff Ave, Northbridge

8.30am - 11.30am

Contact: Sheila Murray

9958 5449

FOURTH FRIDAY OF THE MONTH

The Drive (Flat Rock Gully) 9.00am - 12 noon

Contact: Roger Pittaway

9929 8815

FOURTH SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

Naremburn Parkcare 9.00am - 11.00pm Contact: Bruce De Graaf 0411 130 000

FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE MONTH The Drive (Flat Rock Gully), Northbridge Clive Park / The Knoll, Northbridge OH Reid Reserve, West Chatswood Heights Cres (w/end), Middle Cove Under 20’s Bushcare, Chatswood High School

9.00am - 12 noon 9.00am - 12 noon 10.00am -12 noon 1.00pm - 4.00pm 9.00am—12noon

Contact: Roger Pittaway Contact: Don Wilson Contact: Liz Sharratt Contact: Pam Organ Contact: Mandy Wilson

9929 8815 9958 0007 9419 6886 9958 1512 9777 7875

LAST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

Barcoo/ Barambah, Roseville 9.00—12 noon

Contact: Joanna Dodkin-Smith

9417 5147

Activity Date/ Time Reduce your WASTE-line (34 Devonshire St, Chatswood). Come along to learn lots of fun and easy ways to avoid, reduce and recycle waste! Bookings: WCC on 9777 7730

Thurs 17 May 6.30-8pm

Kitchen Scraps to Compost (34 Devonshire St). This workshop will show you how to use a compost bin or worm farm to dramatically reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, whilst producing nutrient-rich fertiliser for your garden. Bookings: WCC on 9777 7730

Sat19 May 2-5pm

Celebrate the Compost Revolution!! Join us at this “compost party.” We will celebrate all things compost-related with mini-workshops, guest speakers, games, prizes, give-aways. Bookings: WCC on 9777 7730

Sat 26 May 2-5pm

The Big Picture (Chatswood library, The Concourse). A DVD night showcasing films about sustainable and environmentally ethical living. Bookings: WCC on 9777 7691

Wed 30 May 6.30-8pm

Gu-ring-gai Festival Event-Aboriginal Cultural Bushwalk with Karen Smith. (Flat Rock Gully Reserve). Bookings: Di on 9777 7755

Sat 2 June 1-3pm

Low Cost Energy Saving Actions for your home or apartment (Dougherty Centre). Bookings: WCC on 9777 7691

Wed 6 June 6.30-8pm

Sustainable Kitchen Renovations (34 Devonshire St). Bookings: WCC on 9777 7607

Wed 13 June 6.30-8pm

Bush Poetry Reading. (Henry Lawson Cave, Naremburn). Bookings: Di on 9777 7755

Sun 17 June 2-4pm

Reverse Garbage: Tour and Workshop. Bookings: WCC on 9777 7730

Mon 18 June 9am-12.30pm

Birdwatch. (Harold Reid and North Arm Track). Bookings: Di on 9777 7755

Sun 1 July 8-11am

Responsible Investing (Chatswood CBD) Bookings: 9777 7607

Wed 4 July 6.30– 8pm

NATIONAL TREE DAY (Artarmon Reserve-Oval). Enquiries: Jan on 9777 7753 or visit WCC website

Sun 29 July 10am-2pm

Winter Wildflower Walk in Explosives Reserve. Bookings: Di on 9777 7755

Sun 5 Aug 10am-1pm

WCC Bushcare Training Workshops-2 Sessions. Involves theory and practical sessions. RSVP by 25 May or 10 June to Karina 9777 7877

Sat 2 or Sun 3 June (No.1)

& Sat 16 or Sun 17 June (No. 2)

TAFE Bushcare Essentials Workshop (Hunters Hill Council Area). RSVP by 10 May to Natalie on 9978 4038

Sun 20 May 9am-4pm

Aboriginal Sites Guided Tour. RSVP by 23 May to Lane Cove Council 9911 3583 or Nth Syd. Council on 9936 8258

Sat 26 May 9am-12noon

The kingdom of Fungi-Biology, Biodiversity & Conservation. RSVP by 30 May to Lane Cove Council on 9911 3583

Sat 2 June 10am-1.30pm

Seed Processing Workshop. RSVP North Sydney Council by 8 June on 9936 8100

Sat 16 June 9am-12noon

Bicycle Maintenance Made Easy. RSVP Alison at WCC on 9777 7706 by 20 June

Thurs 21 June 6-8.30pm

Winter Wildflower Walk in North Sydney. RSVP on 9936 8100 by 15 June

Sat 23 June 8am-1pm

Intro to Organic Gardening Part 1 & 2. RSVP to WCC on 9777 7877 by 28 June & 13 July

Sat 7 July &

Sat 21 July, 9-1

Eucalyptus and Angophora ID Walk and Talk. RSVP 29 June to North Sydney Council on 9936 8100

Sat 7 July 9am-1pm

Safe Commuter Cyclist-Intermediate Cycling Skills RSVP Alison at WCC by 6 July on 9777 7706

Sat 7 July 10am-1pm

What’s coming up in mid May-July 2012? (More info on: www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au

For school holiday adventures ph. 9777 7755)

Barambah Parkcare Saves the Day

Barambah /Barcoo Street Parkcare group had an unexpected visitor at their April working bee. After a long productive morning of weeding and pruning we noticed a very large black cockatoo perched low on our large Camphor Laurel being hassled by some crows. We took some photos with our handy phones, when the bird decided she wanted a close-up picture. She swooped down and was extremely friendly. It was then we realised this was no ordinary feathered friend. She stayed for a while but then took off again to the safety of the tree. A call to WIRES established that she was not indigenous to NSW, and as they thought she was an escaped domestic bird they weren’t able to help.

So three extremely patient and ingenious Parkcarers spent the next one and half hours persuading this amazing Red Tailed Cockatoo to come closer so we could catch it in a compost bin turned on its side with bird netting at either end. To our amazement she flew down and followed some apple straight into her newly constructed home. After a night in a garage, many phone calls, research on the internet, and scanning the bird with a hand held microchip scanner borrowed from the vet (not an easy task on a cockatoo), her true identity was revealed. Our Red Tailed Cockatoo is one of six who perform daily at Taronga Zoo bird show. A few days before a wild Peregrine Falcon had spooked the flock and they all took off. All returned except for our more adventurous or terrified cockatoo. Her very happy bird keepers retrieved her within the hour and I am very pleased that we took the time and energy to return her home. We are now looking forward to a trip to the zoo to see her perform.

by Joanna Dodkin-Smith, Barambah/Barcoo Parkcare Convenor

Erin Stone, Taronga Zoo Bird Keeper. Photo taken by Verity Smith.